Abduction splint



July 12, 1966 N. CONNELLY 3,260,259

ABDUCTION SPLINT Filed OC'L. 8. 1962 FGZ INVENTOR /\//CHOL AS C. COA/NELL V ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,260,259 ABDUCTION SPLINT Nicholas C. Connelly, Eaton Rapids, Mich., assignor to S. H. Camp & Company, a corporation of Michigan Filed Oct. 8, 1962, Ser. No. 229,040 3 Claims. (Cl. 12S-87) The invention pertains to an abduction splint, and particularly relates to an abduction splint of the type employed to treat congenital hip and dysplasia in infants.

It is the purpose of an abduction splint to abduct the thigh so that the pressure of the femoral head is exerted against the outer, upper border of the shallow acetabulum. Itis an object of the invention to provide an abduction splint which efficiently performs the above relationship and wherein the angle, degree of stress and location of abduction may be controlled and regulated. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide an abduction splint wherein the splint has improved lateral stability and may be quickly attached to or removed from the infant. The splint, in accord with the invention, is also easily washable, sanitary, and relatively comfortable.

A further object of the invention is'to provide an abduction splint for infants which may be either fitted over or under a diaper, and wherein the construction is relatively-simple and inexpensive.

'Another object of the invention is to provide a synthetic plastic abduction splint which is well ventilated and will minimize chafing and skin irritation due to the splint causing overheating of the infants skin temperature in the diaper region.

These and other objects of the invention, resulting from the4 details and relationships of the components of an embodiment thereof will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawing wherein:.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an abduction splint in accord with the invention wherein the fastening means for the right thigh cuff is shown in the unfastened relation, whileA the left thigh cuff fastening means is shown in the operative or closed position, and

FIG. 2 is a back elevational view of the abduction splint showing the right inner thigh cuff tongue folded outwardly, and the fastening means of this cuff in the open or unfastened position.

The abduction splint, in accord with the invention, includes a pair of thigh-encompassing cuffs and 12. The cuffs 10 and 12 are preferably for-med of lightweight, flexible, non-toxic, polyethylene plastic sheets, and are provided at the edges thereof with padding 14, sewn to the cuff edges. The cuffs are held in a substantially tu'bular configuration, being maintained in this shape by anterior and posterior crosspieces, whereby each cuff is provided with an upper access opening defined by the ends 16 and 18 of a cuff, FIG. l. The padding 14 is also sewn to the ends of the cuffs, and the cuff padding preferably includes a foam, or similar material, enclosed within a soft covering such as synthetic leather, which is not pervious to moisture.

An inner tongue 20 of a soft flexible material is sewn at one end to the inside of each cuff adjacent the end 16 thereof, and is lof such length as to bridge the inside of the cuff ends upon the cuff being fitted about the infants thighs. The preferred fastening means rfor maintaining the cuffs closed about the infants thighs employs a flexible ap 22 having an under surface 24 containing a loosely woven, high strength, fiber. The flap 22 is sewn by a seam 26 to the cuff adjacent end 16 thereof. The cuff end 18 is provided, on its exterior surface, with a strip 28, having rigid looped members defined thereon which will grip the fibers of the flap 22 upon the flap being pressed into engagement with the strip holding the iiap closed. This type of fastening means is commercially available ice under the name Velcro, and for-ms no part of the invention. Upon the infants legs being placed within a cuff, the inner tongue 20 will be positioned over the leg between the inner surfaces of the cuff and bridging the ends thereof. Thereupon, the cuff is pressed against the infants legs and sized, and pressing of the flap 22 against the strip 28 will maintain the cuffs encirclement of the infants leg. The tongue 22 prevents engagement of the infants .skin with the underside 24 of the flap and prevents chaf'ing.

The spacing of the cuffs 10 and 12 and the angle of abduction is maintained by the anterior crosspiece 30 and the posterior crosspiece 32, FIGS. l and 2, respectively. The crosspieces 30 and 32 each consist of rigid metallic straps 34 and 36, and 34 and 36', respectively. The straps 34 and 34' are attached to the cuff 10 by a pair of fastening means, such as screws 38 and 38, and the straps 36 and 36 are attached to the cuff 12 by a pair of similar fastening means 40 and 40. The straps 34 and 36, and 34 and 36', are provided with a plurality of linearly disposed, evenly spaced holes 42 whereby overlapping of the straps permits alignment of the holes and permits adjustment of the crosspiece length and, hence, the spacing between the cuffs 10 and 12. Upon achieving the desired spacing of the cuffs 10 and 12, fastening means such as screws 44, are inserted through a pair of spaced, aligned holes 42 whereby the length of a crosspiece may be maintained. Preferably, the straps of the crosspieces 30 and 32 are formed of aluminum.

To insure lateral stablity of the splint upon the infant, an I-shaped backpiece 46 formed of semirigid synthetic plastic sheet is affixed to the posterior crosspiece by means of the screws 44, and extends vertically above the crosspiece. The lower portion 48 of the I-shaped backpiece is also provided with a plurality of holes, not shown, which are similarly spaced and sized with respect to the holes 42 formed in the posterior straps 34 and 36', whereby the backpiece may be attached to the posterior crosspiece 32 at any adjustment of the posterior crosspiece. In a commercial embodiment of the invention the backpiece 46 is formed 'by overlapping a pair of transparent polyethylene plastic sheets and connecting the two layers of sheets by sewing. A relatively rigid stay 50 is sewn between the plastic sheets to enhance the rigidity of the vertical portion S2 of the backpiece.

A chest-encompassing strap is attached to the upper portion 54 of the backpiece. The chest strap consists of a pair of straps 56 and 58. One end of strap 56 is affixed to the backpiece by sewing and the other end is provided with an adjustable buckle 60, as shown in FIG. l. The adjustable buckle may be varied in its position upon the associated strap 56, and a clip 62 affixed to one end of the st-rap 58 releasably attaches to the buckle 60. The other end of strap 58 is attached to the upper backpiece portion 54.

Adjustability of the abduction angle of the splint is produced by bending the posterior and anterior crosspieces. Such bending of the anterior crosspiece is usually gradually distributed throughout the crosspiece intermediate the cuffs 10 and 12. Bending of the posterior crosspiece is preferably located at the portions which are intermedi-ate the cuff and the lower portion 48 of the backpiece.

It is believed that installation of the abduction splint in accord with the invention Will be quite apparent. By opening the flaps 22 and holding the tongues 20 away from the ends 18 of the cuffs, the infants right and left thighs may be placed in cuffs 10 and 12, respectively. Prior to installation, measurement of the infant will enable the proper spacing of the cuffs to be determined, and the degree of abduction stress may be thus regulated. Such spacing should be such that :the louter padded edges of the cuffs are in the region of the knee, but will not usually be so close to the knee joint as to interfere with the bending of the lower leg. After the infants thighs are within the cuffs, the tongues 20 are tucked under the cuff ends 18 and the flaps 22 close the cuffs and maintain the closed relationship due to the engagement of the strip 28 with the fibers of the flap 22. The backpiece portion 52 substantially aligns with the infants spine, and the chest straps 56 and 58 are adjusted to snugly encircle the infants chest and maintain the backpiece in the desired position.

Due to the use of the synthetic plastic material, aluminum and washable fabric straps and tongue, the splint may be easily maintained in a sanitary condition. As the cuffs 10 and 12 only engage a portion of the infants thighs, overheating of the infant in the diaper region is prevented, and use of the flaps 22 and buckle 60 permits the splint to be `rapidly attached to and removed from the infant during diaper changes. The backpiece and chest strap allow fullflexion of the back and assure that the splint will be maintained in the desired position.

It is appreciated that various modifications to the described embodiment ymay be apparent to'those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and it is intended that the invention be defined only by the following claims.

I claim:

1. An abduction splint for the treatment of hips of infants comprising, in combination, a pair of thigh-receiving cuffs each having front and rear portions, a formable anterior crosspiece interposed between and affixed to said front portions of said cuffs, a formable posterior crosspiece interposed between and affixed to said rear portions of said cuffs, said crosspieces maintaining the spacing and angular relationship between said cuffs, said crosspieces each including first and second rigid strap elements, said first element being affixed to one -of said cuffs and said second strap element being affixed to the other cuff, and -adjustment means aixing said rst and second strap elements together vin predetermined relation whereby the spacing between said cuffs may be adjusted, a backpiece rigidly mounted upon said posterior crosspiece and substantially perpendicularly extending thereabove having an upper portion vertically spaced above said posterior crosspiece and a chest-embracing strap attached to the upper portion of said backpiece.

2. An abduction splint for the treatment of hips of infants comprising, in combination, a pair of thigh-embracing cuffs each having front and rear portions, said cuffs being formed of fiexible sheet material, and having edges, padding affixed to the edges of said cuffs, releasable fastening means associated with each -of said cuffs maintaining said cuffs in a tubular configuration for embracing a thigh within the cuff, a formab'le anterior crosspiece affixed to said front portions of said cuffs, a formable posterior crosspiece affixed to said rear portions of said cuffs, said crosspieces maintaining the spacing and angular relation between said cuffs, each of said crosspieces including first and second rigid strap elements, means adjustably affixing the elements of a crosspiece together in a predetermined relation to provide predetermined spacing of the cuffs, a semi-rigid backpiece having lower, central and upper portions, said lower portion being rigidly afxed in at least two spaced locations to said posterior crosspiece, and a chest strap attached to said backpiece upper portion.

3. In an abduction splint as in claim 2, wherein said backpiece is of an I-configuration and is formed of a nontoxic, moisture impervious, synthetic plastic.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,374,177 4/1921 Barry 12S-88 2,482,646 9/ 1949 Brachman et al 128-80 3,068,862 12/1962 Fuzere 12S-87 3,075,521 1/1963 Grassl 128--75 OTHER REFERENCES On Congenital Dislocation of the Hip by Gerald L. Burke, The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, vol. 33,' No. 4, November 1951, pp. 562-565 relied upon.

The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, vol. 36A, No. 5, October 1954, advertising page 14 relied upon.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT E. MORGAN, Examiner.

J. W. HINEY, JR., Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN ABDUCTION SPLINT FOR THE TREATMENT OF HIPS OF INFANTS COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A PARI OF THIGH-RECEIVING CUFFS EACH HAVING FRONT AND REAR PORTIONS, A FORMABLE ANTERIOR CROSSPIECE INTERPOSED BETWEEN AND AFFIXED TO SAID FRONT PORTIONS OF SAID CUFFS, A FORMABLE POSTERIOR CROSSPIECE INTERPOSED BETWEEN AND AFFIXED TO SAID REAR PORTIONS OF SAID CUFFS, SAID CROSSPIECES MAINTAINING THE SPACING AND ANGULAR RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SAID CUFFS, SAID CROSSPIECES EACH INCLUDING FIRST AND SECOND RIGID STRAP ELEMENTS, SAID FIRST ELEMENT BEING AFFIXED TO ONE OF SAID CUFFS AND SAID SECOND STRAP ELEMENT BEING AFFIXED TO THE OTHER CUFFF, AND ADJUSTMENT MEANS AFFIXING SAID FIRST AND SECOND STRAP ELEMENTS TOGETHER IN PREDETERMINED RELATION WHEREBY THE SPACING BETWEEN SAID CUFFS MAY BE ADJUSTED, A BACKPIECE RIGIDLY MOUNTED UPON SAID POSTERIOR CROSSPIECE AND SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICUALRLY EXTENDING THEREABOVE HAVING AN UPPER PORTION VERTICALLY SPACED ABOVE SAID POSTERIOR CROSSPIECE AND A CHEST-EMBRACING STRAP ATTACHED TO THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID WORKPIECE. 